Decision Maker: Schools Forum

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 3, 2025

Purpose:

Content: See the report at Agenda Item 3, page 10, presented by Anna Hesed, Head of Strategic Finance, and Abdirizak Hussein, Finance Manager   The following points were presented to Schools Forum   An update on the DSG spending forecast by block against budget for 24/25 and the impact on the DSG Reserve. An update on the Safety Valve programme. Review of the DSG Funding by block for 25/26 based on the October 2024 census noting that final funding figures will be based on the January 2025 census at section 3, page 11, of the report. Reviewed the council’s proposals for setting the 2025/26 budget at section 4, page 12 of the report. Reviewed the application of Falling Rolls Funding set out at section 4.3, page13, of the report. Reviewed the Central Services block allocation Reviewed the Early years  and SENIF funding allocation   Resolved:   Schools Forum noted:   1.    The principles of the Hounslow schools funding formula for 2025/26 as proposed by the Council and set out in section 4.1. 2.    The 2025/26 factor values as set out in Appendix 1 and the provisional funding allocations for each school set out in Appendix 2 3.    The Council does not propose to set a growth fund for 2025/26 4.    The 2025/26 provisional High Needs budget of £78.93M proposed by the Council 5.    The projected deficit against the DSG reserve as at 31 March 2025   Schools Forum agreed:   1.    The Council’s proposal to set the 2025/26 the AWPU at the NFF AWPU rate including area cost adjustmentby 12 votes. 2.    The Council’s proposal to set the 2025/26 budget for Falling Rolls fund of £467k as set out in section 4.3.7 of the report published as part of the reports pack and the confirmation of the two further schools subsequently identified as eligible by 12 votes for the proposal, no votes against and non abstained. 3.    The Council’s proposal to set the Minimum Funding Guarantee at 0% for 2025/26 as set out in paragraph 4.4.7 of the report by 12 votes for the proposal, no votes against and non abstained. 4.    The Council’s proposal to transfer £658k from the Schools Block to the HN Block by 9 votes for the proposal, 1 vote against the proposal and 2 abstained. 5.    The Council’s proposals for allocation from the 2025/26 Central School Services Block to fund the delivery of the functions set out in section 4 of the report published with the agenda by 12 votes for the proposal, no votes against and non abstained. 6.    The Council’s recommended hour rates for 2025/26 ·       Under 2-year olds £13.31 ·       2-year olds £9.74 ·       3 & 4-year olds £6.40 ·       Deprivation supplement £0.26 7.    The Council’s proposed revision of the process for distributing Special Education Needs Inclusion Fund (SENIF) Early Years bands 0-3, with the proposed process set out section 8.9, of the report, page 36.   The maintained school representatives agreed: 8.    The de-delegation of budget as set out in sections 5 and 6 of the report for: 1.    Statutory School Improvement service budget £307,366 by 6 votes for the proposal, no votes against and non abstained. 2.    Support Services proposed to be charged to Maintained School Budget Shares £679,593 by 6 votes for the proposal, no votes against and non abstained.